Father remained silent with a surprised expression.

It seemed he hadn’t expected me to come out with such an attitude. 

 Well, before my regression…… I was even afraid to face Father. 

 “We’re going to the Imperial Palace in three days, right? I’ll prepare well, so you should prepare well too, Father. And please don’t do things like this anymore.” 

 With that, I nodded my head in greeting to Father and walked past him out of the office.

Although my legs were trembling since this was the first time I’d caused such a scene with Father one-on-one, my voluminous dress skirts were enough to hide my shaking legs. 

 So I took a deep breath and walked to my room. 

 “Mylene, do you think you could get information about what kinds of snacks and tea the Countess Meilon likes?” 

 Hearing this, Mylene said she would join the group going to buy food ingredients today and ask around in the streets.

Once I entered my room, I thought long and hard about Father’s business. 

 Although slightly different from my previous life, when I glanced at it earlier, the content of the business plan itself wasn’t very different.

Then, there was no doubt that both the Emperor and Father would face the same challenges as in my previous life. 

 Originally, I was planning to take Father’s side and get involved myself, but……

Now that Rubert has decided to become the head of the family, I can’t just stand by and watch this business become known to the Empire under the Bershua name. 

 I racked my brain hard.

For the first step toward making Rubert the head of the family.

And for the infinite glory of my future independence from Masipacius. 

 Thus, until three days before entering the Imperial Palace, I worked hard to think while also making efforts to maintain a good relationship with Countess Meilon.

Although I wouldn’t have many occasions to get involved with the imperial family in my life, it couldn’t hurt to be friendly with someone close to them. 

 「Oh my, how did you know I liked sweets from this bakery……」

「Hmm, this tea is really fragrant. Was it your idea, young lady?」

Fortunately, Countess Meilon seemed to be evaluating my sense favorably. 

 “So…… how should I phrase it in situations like this?” 

 And now, I was engaged in the most difficult study of my life. 

 No, seriously, how am I supposed to rephrase ‘I’m sleepy so I’ll excuse myself first’? 

 The way of speaking in the Imperial Palace…… was very difficult.

Perhaps because it was a conversation between high-ranking people, there was no way to speak directly and straightforwardly about anything. 

 While I had mastered most of the Imperial Palace etiquette without much trouble, I just couldn’t get used to the way of speaking at the Imperial Palace. 

 “Um…… Countess, I’m truly sorry but…… all I can think of is saying ‘the bed awaits me.'” 

 At my casually spoken words, Countess Meilon burst out laughing with a ‘pff–’.

I watched with an embarrassed expression as the Countess desperately tried to hold back her escaping laughter with her hand over her mouth. 

 “Earlier, how did we say we should express ‘I have a lot of work so I’ll excuse myself first’?”

“Um…… As the sun seems to be setting, I shall take my leave?”

“That’s right, then how do you think we should express ‘I’m sleepy or tired so I’ll go first’?”

“Ah, as the moon has risen high, I shall take my leave?” 

 The Countess nodded at my words.

Ugh, this is so complicated. 

 “That’s right. Tomorrow is the day you go to the Imperial Palace, isn’t it? Since it’s your first audience with His Majesty the Emperor, you must be very nervous…… Let’s end today’s lesson here. Make sure to get plenty of rest.”

“Yes, thank you for everything until now, Countess.”

“Hmm…… Miss Rowenloa seems to have quite a talent for choosing food. I’ll invite you to my bakery next time.”

“If you invite me, I’ll gladly rush over.” 

 As soon as I finished the last lesson with Countess Meilon and went outside, Mylene and the maids began busily moving the dresses and accessories Father had prepared into my room.

I sighed watching them. 

 I’m going to suffer starting early tomorrow morning. 

 So I went to sleep for tomorrow when I would have to wake up early, and as expected, I was woken up by Mylene before dawn, got dressed up, and headed to the carriage waiting for me at the main gate. 

 “Ah, there’s only one carriage?” 

 I spoke to Father who was about to get into the carriage after confirming my arrival. 

 “As father and daughter, there’s no need to take separate carriages.”

“That’s true, but…… look at the inside of the carriage and your hands now, Father.” 

 At my words, Father looked at the carriage loaded with documents and the stack of papers in his hands. 

 “Don’t you think it would be better for you to go alone to concentrate on your work? I’m fine with taking my usual carriage.” 

 At those words, Father seemed to consider for a moment before ordering the knight commander to prepare another carriage. 

 “Bring out the carriage that my wife used to ride in, not Rowenloa’s carriage.” 

 I looked at Father with surprised eyes at his words. 

 A carriage that my mother, whose face I’d never even seen, used to ride in. 

 Soon after Father got into his carriage, another carriage that looked almost identical to Father’s but was more refined and simply decorated stopped in front of me. 

 Finally, the carriages carrying Father and me began racing quickly toward the Imperial Palace. 

 ***

 After some time, the carriage’s speed gradually decreased before coming to a complete stop. 

 “Miss, it seems there’s a brief carriage inspection.” 

 A voice announcing the inspection was heard from outside the carriage.

And then, loud voices began coming from Father’s carriage that had departed before me. 

 “No, how many times do I have to tell you that I don’t remember putting this in!”

“As you know, those who have appointments with His Majesty the Emperor and are found carrying weapons must undergo additional inspection. As it’s imperial law, we ask for your understanding.” 

 Wondering what was happening, I got out of the carriage to see Father arguing with someone who appeared to be the Imperial Knight Commander.

After watching them for a while, the imperial knights finally noticed my presence and approached me. 

 “I am Kaiban, Commander of the Imperial 13th Division guarding the central gate. Are you accompanying Marquis Masipacius?” 

 I looked back and forth between Kaiban and Father before shaking my head. 

 “No, while it’s true I came together with Father because he had business at the Imperial Palace, I’m not accompanying him.” 

 At that, Father approached me with an angry expression.

Before Father could interrupt my words, I quickly pulled something out of my pocket and held it out to the Knight Commander. 

 “This is…..” 

 Kaiban was startled when he saw what I held out, then immediately bowed to me. 

 “I apologize, I didn’t realize you had a pass.” 

 Hearing Kaiban’s words, Father snatched the pass from Kaiban’s hand as if wondering what he meant. 

 Issuer: Crown Prince.

Recipient: Rowenloa Masipacius. 

 Father looked back and forth between the pass and me with an incredulous expression. 

 “However, seeing the situation, I think I might need to meet His Majesty the Emperor instead of Father. Would you please search my carriage as well?” 

 Hearing my words, Kaiban made a troubled expression.

Having a pass meant being one of the trusted figures of the Imperial family, and traditionally, those with passes are not inspected at the main gate. 

 “It’s alright. I’d like to avoid any uncomfortable situations, so please begin the inspection.” 

 When I gave permission again, Kaiban glanced at Father’s carriage and, seemingly still concerned, said excuse me and began searching inside and outside the carriage with his subordinates. 

 “Rowenloa, you……” 

 Then Father’s voice filled with anger was heard.

I held out my hand toward such a Father. 

 “We’ll be late for the appointment with His Majesty, Father. Since the inspection seems to be taking quite some time, would you give me the business plan for now? I’ll deliver it to His Majesty on your behalf.” 

 Hearing those words, Father looked at me with suspicious eyes. 

 “I’ve heard His Majesty is quite strict about time appointments. If I had said I was with Father, I would have had to undergo inspection with Father despite having a pass. Then this business plan would never reach His Majesty.” 

 Seemingly convinced, Father sighed once, got into the carriage, and then handed me a thick stack of documents. 

 “Don’t say anything unnecessary, just deliver this proposal to His Majesty. I’ll come as soon as the inspection is finished.” 

 I nodded at Father’s words and returned to where my carriage was. 

 “Is the search finished?”

“Yes, there were no issues with the carriage. Thank you for your cooperation.” 

 As I got back into my carriage, it began moving toward the Imperial Palace again. 

 I smiled with satisfaction as I watched Father’s stationary carriage. 

 Everything is going according to my plan. 

 This morning, I woke up before Mylene could wake me and went to the stable.

Then I secretly put the dagger that Father had carelessly thrown aside after going hunting last time, wrapped in a thick blanket, in the corner of Father’s luggage compartment in the carriage he would ride today. 

 Anyone meeting the Emperor must not possess any weapons.

It was an imperial law that everyone knew. 

 Of course, when it’s revealed that Father went hunting a week ago and the blood on that dagger matches that of the monster hunted then, Father will be released from inspection just by surrendering the dagger. 

 That’s enough. 

 If I catch the Emperor’s interest, he will buy time. 

 As I got out of the carriage, I saw Frill, who had guided me last time, and several servants waiting for me. 

 “It’s been a while, Lady Masipacius.”